__*Obama: *__The President's American Jobs Act is an extension of his stimulus strategy; it would use federal dollars to encourage employment, especially in the public sector. It also doubles the 2011 payroll tax cut for individuals.

Romney: His five-point plan promises "more jobs and more take-home pay" via measures such as tax cuts, deregulation, and less government spending.

The expert says: "Most independent economists agree that Obama's policies could work—if he can get them through Congress," says Stephen Weatherford, professor of political science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who studies economic policies and political leadership. "His plans are very specific and pretty well attuned to what the economy needs. Romney is saying the right things—but he hasn't mapped out enough detail about what he'd cut and where."

Election 2012 Concern Number 2: Health Care

__*Obama: *__His Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates health �?insurance for all Americans, �?promotes more preventive care, allows young people to stay on their parents' health insurance until age 26, and prohibits caps on most benefits.

Romney: He's pledged to repeal "Obamacare" but recently said he would retain some portions, like the age-26 provision. Romney believes deregulation will let insurers better serve consumers.

__*The expert says: *__On a pocketbook level, many researchers say, the ACA will save young women money. "It prohibits insurers from charging women more for the same level of coverage as men and provides free preventive care," says Elise Gould, director of health policy research at the nonpartisan Economic Policy Institute. But some Americans take issue with the ACA as "big government" and believe that it could interfere with innovations that happen in a competitive market.

Election 2012 Concern Number 3: Reproductive Rights

__*Obama: *__The ACA requires insurers to pay for contraception and prenatal screenings. The President is pro-choice.

__*Romney: *__The candidate supports proposals that allow employers to opt out of contraception coverage on religious or moral grounds. Romney is pro-life, with exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or the health and life of the mother.

__*The expert says: *__If you feel strongly on this issue in either direction, your vote will count this year, says Elisabeth Jacobs, a fellow at the Brookings Institution: "I have no doubt the next president will decide what happens to Roe v. Wade by his appointments to the Supreme Court."

We'll be keeping an eye out for how the candidates do on these big points—and more—during tonight's debate (flip back to the blog later in the day for a bit more on tonight's big face-off). But for now, let's talk...

Which of these issues is most important to you? Is your top issue not represented? And does the candidate you're supporting represent your views on your biggest concerns? Lots to talk about here!